Manufacture of pipe blanks



Nov. 30, 1937. 'J. v. CAPUTO MANUFACTURE OF RIPE BLAIiKS Original Filed Feb. 11, 1935 l4.SheetsSheet l Nov. 30, 1937. J. v. cAPuTo MANUFACTURE OF PIPE BLANKS.

ori ixial Filed Feb. '11, 1935 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 30, 1937. J. v. CAPUTO MANUFACTURE OE PIPE BLANKS Origifial Filed Feb. v11, 1935 -14 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 30,1937. .1. v..cAPuTo I MANUFACTURE OF PIPE BLANKS 14 Sheets-Shet 5 ori inal Filed Feb. 11, 1935 lgvzu'ron Nov. 30, 1937. J. v. CAPUTO MANUFACTURE OF PIPE BLANKS- Original Filed Feb. 11, 1935 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 Nov. 30, 1937. J. v. CAPUTO MANUFACTURE OF PIPE B LANKS 14 Sheets-Sheet '7 Original Filed Feb. 11, 1935 INVENTOR Nov. 30, 19.37. J. v. CAPUTO- MANUFACTURE OF PIPE BLANKS Original Filed Feb. 11, 1935 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR Nov. 30,1937. v AP TO 2,100,503

MANUFACTURE OF PIPE BLANKS original Filed Feb. 11, 1935 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVE NTOR v mug I S 75 QJWWVM J. V. CAPUTO MANUFACTURE OF PIPE BLANKSF Nov; 30, 1937.

Original Filed Feb. 11, 1955 14 Shets-Sheet 10 INVENEOR Nov. 30, 1937. J. v. cAPuTo 2,100,503

MANUFACTURE OF PIPE BLANKS Original Filed Feb. 11, 1955 14 Sheets-Shee t 11 Nov. 30, 1937. J. v. CAPUTO 3 MANUFACTURE OF PIPE BLANKS Original Filed Feb. 11, 1935 14 Sheets-Sheet l2 J73 J27 I .27.;

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MANUFACTURE OF PIPE BLANK-i Original Filed Feb. 11, 1935' l4 Sheets-Sheet l3 Nov. 30, 1937. J. v. CAPUTO- 2,100,503

MANUFACTURE OF PIPE BLANKS Original Filed Feb. 11', 1935 l4 Sheets-Sheet 14 Patented Nov. 30, 193? UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE 2,100,503 MANUFACTURE OF PIPE BLANKS James V. Caputo, Grafton, Pa.

Application February 11,1935, Serial No. 6,034 Renewed April 13, 1937 53 Claims.) (c1. 29-33) My invention relates to the manufacture of tubular blanks adapted to be welded to form pipe and, specifically, to the manufacture of pipe 10 blanksinitially, although blanks as made at present are characterized by numerous objectlonable-ieatures. Among these, the principal one is that the edges of the blank which define the seam cleft are uneven and wavy so that it is 15 dificult to obtain the proper electrical contact therebetween for welding by either the resistance or induction method. This non-linear condition of the edges is most pronounced when the blanks are formed continuously because of the fact that this mode of forming stretches the edges of the blank more than the middle portion thereof as the edges are progressively bent'up into tubular form. The same trouble, however, is experienced even with blanks that are formed by presses or dies, or bent edgewise around a rotating mandrel. In my copending application Serial No. 159,809, filed December 31, 1934, for Pipe welding, I have described and claimed a method of 'making blanks including the steps of forming fiat skelp into tubular shape by any convenient method or apparatus, and disposing the blank so formed on a mandrel for finishin operations such as final forming or shaping and slitting or shearing the edges. The present invention is concerned particularly with improved apparatus for carrying out such method. According to this invention.

' I provide apparatus for eflecting the desired finishing operations on a preliminarily formed 40 tubular blank, including a mandrel adapted to move therethrough on traveling supports. I provide means for manipulating the blank onto the mandrel and for removing it therefrom, and. also power means for actuating the mandrel itself. 45 The apparatus for effecting the finishing operation may have any one of a number of different forms, of which several will be considered in detail herein.

For eifecting a final shaping of the blank before shearing, I place the blank on thr mandrel and pass it through a shaping roll stand wherein 7 the edges and other parts of the blank are sulo jected to shaping pressure. For the purpose oi providing the blank with straight edges, I subject them, preferably after final shaping, to a shearing or trimming operation while on another mandrel. This mandrel has cutting edges extending longitudinally thereofadapted to cooperate with a rotary cutter having a relatively fixed mounting. After shearing, the blanks are ready ,for welding and finishing.

For a complete understanding-of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and certain modifications thereof. It is to be understood, however, that the specific details of the apparatus may be varied within the scope of my broader claims without sacrificing the advantages thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a shearing apparatus, parts being shown in side elevation;

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line lI-II of Figure 1 with parts in plan;

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line 111-411 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an end elevation with parts in section along the line IVIV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged section showing a modified form of the mandrel;

Figure 6 is a similar view showing a further modified form; Y

Figure 7 is a plan view of the shear of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a sectional view along the line VII[VI1I of Figure 1 with parts shown in elevation;

through one of the traveling yokes adaptedto support the mandrel;

Figure is a transverse sectional view taken substantially centrally of Figure 9, with parts in elevation;

Figure 11 is a partial end view of the shearing mechanism to enlarged scale with parts in section;

9 is a central vertical sectional view of Figure 11; 1

Figure 1a is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modified form of construction;

- Figure 14 isa plan viewwith parts in section and other parts being shown in outline only;

Figure 15 is a partial sectional view-along the line XVX V of Figure 13 to enlarged scale; certain parts being omitted; v

Figure 15.(Sl1eet 3) is a view similar to Figure 15 showing a modified construction;

' Figure 16 is a sectional view along the line of Figure 13;

Figure 17 (sheet '7) -is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a modified construction;

Figure 18 is a sectional view along the line XVIII-XVIII of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a sectional view along the line MX-XIX of Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a sectional view of the mandrel showing a modified form;

Figure 21 is a similar view showing a further form;

Figure 22 is an end view of a further form of shear, the mandrel and associated parts being shown in section;

Figure 23 is a sectional view along the line XIHIIXXIIT of Figure 22;

Figure 24 is a side elevation of the apparatus of Figure 22;

Figure 25 is a sectional view along the line XXV-XXV of Figure 24;

Figure 26 is a sectional view along the line XVI-XXVI of Figure 22;

Figure 27 is a central longitudinal sectional view with' parts in elevation, of a final forming apparatus;

Figure 28 is a sectional view along the line XXVIII-XXVIII of Figure 27;

Figure 29 is a partial plan view of a detail;

Figure 30 is a similar view showing the appa ratus of Figure 29 in alternative position Figure 31 is a sectional view along the line XXX-XXXI of Figure 27;

Figure 32 is a sectional view along the line XXXII-XXIGI of Figure 2'7;

Figure 33 is a plan view of the traveling yoke shown toward the left of Figure 27;

Figure 34 is a sectional view along the line XXX[VXXXIV of Figure 33;

Figure 35 isan end elevation of the yoke shown in Figures 27 and 33 looking from the left;

Figure 36 is a partial section along the line XXXVI of Figure 33 with parts broken away;

Figure 37 is a side elevation, to enlarged scale, of a detail shown in'Figure 27;

Figure 38 is a side elevation with parts in section showing the preferred form of shearing machine;

Figure 39 is a sectional view, along the line 2EX[X of Figure 38;

Figure 40 is a sectional view showing a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 39 to enlarged scale;

Figure 41 shows a modified form of the apparatus of Figure 40; and

Figure 42 is a partial side elevation showing a modified form of mandrel-actuating mechanism.

While I shall describe the shearing machine and some of its modifications first, it will be understood that the blanks' are passed therethrough only after emerging from the final forming machine, which will be described later."

Referring now in detail to Figures i through 12, a mandrel I is supported adjacent its ends on traveling yokes II and I2 for movement to and fro through the pass or throat of -a shearing 'machine l3. The yokes have wheels 16 running on rails I4. Guides l maintain the yokes in proper alignment. The wheels l6 are journaled in anti-friction bearings arranged for longitudinal transverse movement relative to the yokes. The yokes are connected by spaced parallel thrust members] 1 here shown in the form of I-beams.

The mandrel 0 is supported from the yokes and I2 on plates l3. The mandrel has a longitudinal groove adapted to receivean insert |9 having spaced parallel cutting edges thereon. These edges cooperate with a cutter 20 0f the shearing machine 3. The cutter 20 is keyed'to ashaft 2| journaled in bearings 22. The bearings are adjustable vertically in supporting housings 5 by a screw mechanism 23. The shaft 2| also carries roll sections 24 for gripping a blank, shown at 25, when disposed on the mandrel Ill. The bearin s 22 and screw mechanism 23 are carried in housings 26 which are adjustable laterally on 0 a base 26'.

A bottom support roll 21 cooperates with the roll sections 24 in holding the blank on the mandrel for shearing. The roll 21 is journaled in a yoke 28 carried on an adjusting screw 29. A worm and worm wheel adjustment 30 is provided for the screw 29. Guides 3| projecting inwardly of the housings 26 hold the yoke 28 in proper position.

A driving connection for the shaft 2| isindicated at 32. Any convenient source of power (not shown) may be employed.

Guide rolls 33 are journaled in the housings 26 on opposite sides of the cutter 20 in about the same manner as the latter. The 'roll 33 on the exit side of the shearing mechanism has a fin 33a adapted to enter the seam cleft and depress the edges trimmed therefrom into the groove in the insert I9. -The fin 33a also aidsin guiding the mandrel-by engaging the insert. Bottom support rolls cooperate with the rolls 33. The rolls 35 are mounted in the same manner as the roll 21. The rolls 3-3 and 35 on the exit side of the shear may be adjusted to cold work the edges of the blank if desired, to condition them for welding.

Auxiliary supporting rolls 36 cooperate with the rolls 33 and 35 to support the blank and mandrel as they progress through the shear. The rolls 36 Y are journaled in screw-mounted yokes, similar to those which carry the rolls 35. A driving motor 31 is provided for each of the rolls 36 and the drive includes two worm reduction gears 38 and 39, and a vertical shaft splined to the former. The rolls 36 with their driving motors are carried on bases 40 and are adjustable transversely thereof by screw shafts 4|. As shown in Figure 10, the rolls 35 and their mountings are arranged to permit the yokes II and I2 to pass thereover without interference.

The plate I8 is adjustably supported in the 5 yoke l2. Side bar-s42 are secured to the upper end of the plate l8 and rest on wedge blocks 43. Wedges 44 adjustable axially of the yokes by means of screws 45 permit the plate l8 to be raised or lowered. Wedges 43 similarly cooperate with the side bars 42 to shift the plate l8 laterally. Adjusting screws 41 are provided to actuate the wedges 46.

The yoke II is provided with pusher arms 48 to prevent backward slippage of the blank on the mandrel as the latter is moved toward the shear. The arms 48 are pivoted to the members I! adjacent their ends and are urged inwardly by springs 49. Bearings 50 are provided to give support to the arms which are slidable thereon.

The drive for the. mandrel includes a shaft 5| journaled in bearings 52 carried by the housings:

26. Pinions 53 on the shaft 5| mesh with rack teeth 54 on the lower edges of the members H.

.A drive shaft 55 connected to any source of power serves to rotate the shaft 5| and reciprocate the mandreland, with" them, the mandrel lll and yokes H and I2.

[An entering guide as is disposed at the leftend of the shearing machine 3, as viewed in Figure 1. This guide is illustrated in detail in Figure 11 and comprises a ring or yoke 51- having ears 58 by which it is secured to the housings -26.

Spring-urged presser feet 59 are carried in housings 60 slidable along guides 6| formed on the ring 51. Adjusting screws 62 and clamping bolts t3 permit the spring housing 60 to be adjusted to and locked in the desired position.

In the operation of the apparatus described so Y as the blank advances onto the mandrel and spring in behind it as the trailing end passes therebeyond. With the rolls 21, 33 and 35 properly set, and the cutter 20 adjusted to cooperate with the edges of the insert l9, the rigid structure constituted by the yoke and the thrust member I1 is then advanced by driving the shaft i, to carry the blank through the shear. As before stated, the rolls 33 and 35 press the blank tightly onto the mandrel and the cutter 20 and insert I9 efiect a clean shearing of both edges of the blank. spring finger 64 is carried on a block 65 .adjustably secured to a cross arm 66 at the'exit side of the shear for removing the trimmed edge of the skelp from'the groove in the insert I9. The pusher arms 48 pass between the rolls 33 and 35 as the trailing end of the blank approaches them and thus are effective to push the blank entirely through the shear. When the blank emerges from the shear, it opens up sufficiently by its natural resilience to permit its being slidthrough the yoke l2 and off the end of the mandrel l0 for delivery to any convenient type of welding machine.

I For the purpose of dressing the cutting edges of the insert after they have worn, I mount a dressing tool 61 on a bracket 68 carrying a motor 69 for driving the tool. The bracket 68 is carried on the housing 28 for vertical movement whereby the tool 81 may be lowered to the dotted line position. Movement of the mandrel back and forth while the tool is lowered, restores the cutting edges of the insert to the proper condition of sharpness. The mandrel l0 may be solid or hollow, the principal requirements being that it be sufficiently straight and rigid. The auxiliary rolls 38 operateqto move the blank onto and off of the mandrel, as well-as to support the mandrel while the blank is passing through the shear.

The leading end of the blank is notched adjacent the seam cleft, as shown in Figure 2. I While the ends of the blank are also beveled circumierentially, the cutter 20 and the edges of the insert" l9 are effective immediately to sever the blank edges, because they engage the blanks inwardly of the beveled end by reason of the notch referred to. A ragged beginning of the out which might result if the cutting edges engaged the beveled end of the pipe first, is thus avoided.

If desired, for any reason. I may. shear the two edges of the seam cleft successively instead of simultaneously. For this purpose, mandrels l0a and Nb, shown in Figures 5 and 6, are employed.

Two shears like that shown at l3 are employed in tandem, one being effective to remove one edge and the other, the other edge. It is possible, furthermore to mount two single edge cutters in the shear l3, instead of the double edge cutter 20, for cooperation with the respective edges of the insert l9. With such machine, the two edges could be sheared simultaneously or successively on forward and reverse strokes of the mandrel,.

one cutter being raised while the other is cutting. The double cutter 20, furthermore, may be employed to shear one edge at a time on successive passages of the blank, if desired.

A slightly different form of shear is shownin Figures13 through 16. This construction includes housings 10, having bearings II slidable thereon in which ashaft I2 is journaled. The

shaft 12 carries a cutter 73 and roll sections ll separated by spacers l5. A bearing block 16 also and a grooved roll 81 cooperating with the cut-- ter 13.

A mandrel 88 is adapted to receive the blanks after they have passed through the shear. The mandrel 88 is supported by plates 89 from yokes 90 (see Figure 16, Sheet 3). The plates 89 are grooved at 9| to receive the edges of the seam cleft which are spaced by rollers jodrnaled on the mandrel, whereby the blank passes freely over the latter. Supporting and driving rolls 93, journaled on the yokes 90,. advancethe blank over the mandrel 88 and to the welding machine (not shown).

A modified form of cutter for the shear of Figure 13 is shown in Figure 15a. In the latter,,.a cutter 13' is incorporated between roll portions 14' "forming an internal roll .carried by a man- 'I3ainstead of the cutter 13 shown in Figure 15. It will thus be apparentthat the machine of Figure 13 is adapted for internal as well as exslidable in the housings 10' is supported by a hydrel 19'. The cooperating roll 14 has a spacer ternal cutters, whichever may prove more feasible. As indicated in Figure 15a, the apparatus of Figure 13 may be provided with vertical side rolls for gripping the blanks.

A further form of shearing mechanism is shown in Figures 17' through 19. Housings 94 have windows 95 which slidably Teceive bearing boxes 30. The boxes are maintained in position by gibs 91. A shaft 98 is journaled in roll bearings in the boxes and roll portions 99 are .jou'rnaled on the shaft for rotation relative thereto. An extension at one end of the shaft enables it to be driven by any convenient means.

A-sleeve I00 is keyed tothe-shaft and carries rotary cutters |0| between which a spacer I02 is disposed. -The cutters L 0| cooperate with the edges of the insert I 9 in themandrel 10 for trin ming the edges of the blank 25.

whenjthe gib's 91 are removed, thebearing bokesl'may be withdawn to the left, as shoyvn in Figure "17, and also the shaft as. this .way.: therollportions andcutters 99 and IM can be changed without removing the head casting (not shown) which connects the housings. A space:

sleeve I03 on the left-hand of the shaft 98 holds the roll portions 99 together.

Figure 20 shows a slightly modified form of insert for the mandrel I0. A further form is shown in Figure 21. In this form, the cutting edges are formed on separate members I04 separated by a spacer I05 and backed by shims I06. Wedges I01 operated by screws I08 cooperate with shoulders onthe members I04. The screws I08 are carried by separate mandrel sections I09 separated by a spacer IIO. This built-up mandrel structure has the advantage that it provides a wide range of dimensions with a minimum of mandrel parts. Instead of being solid, the mandrel may be hollowwith sufficient reinforcing ribs to give the necessary rigidity.

' may be secured together in any convenient man-- The spacer IIO makes it possible to adjust the mandrel to a true circular section so as to hold the blank edges in such position during shearing that they will engage throughout their surface when abutted. It also makes possible the holding of the blank edges during shearing in such position (by temporarily deforming the blank to an oval section) that when the edges are brought together for welding, they will form a dihedral angle and have substantially line contact only. While either of these procedures may be preferred under different circumstances, the structure is such as to accommodate both.

The mandrel is also preferably formed sectionally longitudinally thereof. The sections ner, each section being provided with its own length of insert with the cutting edges formed thereon.

A slightly different form of shear is illustrated in Figures 22 through 26. In this form, a base I I carries columns I I I connected by a head cast:

- ing II2. An upper carriage H3 is slidable on the columns, III being resiliently suspended by spring-supported hangers H4 and adapted to be adjusted downwardly by screws II5, the screws being driven by a motor I I6 through suitable spur and worm gear reducers I I1.

Bearings II8 on the carriage 3 support a large-diameter, built-up cutter I I9 mounted ona shaft I20 for which a driving connection I2! is provided.

' A support roll I22 similar to the roll 210i Figure'3 is mounted below the cutter H9. The roll is" carried by roller bearings on a shaft I23, one end of l which is 'threaded through a nut I24 whereby the shaft I23 may be moved axially to adjust the roll. A lock nut I25 holds the shaft in adjusted position.

The drive for the thrust member I1 is similar to that shown in Figure 1 except that the shaft I has rolls I26 engagingfianges I21 on the racks carried thereby. These rolls support the thrust members against excessive deflection.

Auxiliary carriages I28 are carried on the pairs of columns on opposite sides of the cutter II9. Each carriage has a slide I30 adjustable longitudinally thereof. The slides I30 carry brackets.

I3I adjustable angularly thereof, each bracket having a slide I33 movable longitudinally thereof with bearings I33 thereon. Shafts I34 journaled in the bearings I 33' have gripping rolls I35 thereon cooperating with the mandrel I0. As shown in Figure 23, the shafts I34 with their rol'ls I35 are removable laterally of the brackets HI. 1 a

The carriages I28 are-supported on screws I36 having a worm and worm wheel drive I31, similar to the adjustment for the supporting roll 21'.

This machine comprises housings I45 having windows in which bearings I46 are adjustable by screw mechanisms I41. Shafts I48 are journaled in the bearings and carry shaping or forming rolls I49. Bottom rolls I50 similar to those shown at 21 in Figure 1 cooperate with the rolls I49. Vertical rolls I5I are journaled in bearings I52 slidable on transoms I53 extending between the housings. Adjusting screws I54 operated by worm and worm wheel mechanisms I55 permit lateral adjustment of the bearings I62. The transoms I53, furthermore, are mounted between the housings for movement longitudinally there of on keys I56. The. housings I 45 are also mounted for lateral adjustment on a base I51.

A mandrel I58 is suspended from yokes I59, as in the case of the shearing machine of Figure 1. The mandrel, of course, is adapted to receive a biank after preliminary forming and pass it through the shaping machine for final forming. Thrust members I60 connect the yokes and have rack teeth thereon for engagement by a pinion ISI keyed to a driving shaft I62. Auxiliary sup-- I65 and are actuated by pinions I66 driven by a motor I61 mounted on the yoke. The head I \3 has jaws I68 adapted to be contracted about the mandrel I58 by a screw shaft I69.

The mandrel I 58 is provided with yielding supports I to reduce the friction between the tubular blanks and the mandrel when they are slid thereon and to minimize wear on the mandrel. These supports may be disposed at intervals along the mandrel and spaced circumferentially thereof, although I have illustrated but one set; and may be provided with rollers adjacent their outer ends.

In operating the final shaping machine, the yokes I59 are moved to their extreme left-hand position, as viewed in Figure 27, and a blank is then advanced on to the mandrel from any suitable support, such as a roll table or other conveyor, by any convenient means, either the motors driving the roll table or a separate pusher. As the blank slides on to the mandrel, it displaces the supports I10 to some extent, but the latter tend generally to hold the blank temporarily free of contact with the mandrel over an extended area to avoid binding. Similar bearings may also be disposed in the mandrels of the shearing machines already described. The jaws I68 of the head I63 are retracted when the blank is advanced so that it passes therethrough without interference. The headitself is. retracted toward the yoke I59. .It is held in this position by a pin "I on the head which is adapted to enter a hole in the yoke form.

When the blank has'passed the head I63, it may then be further advanced by running out the rack bars I64 and the head I63 carried thereby,

or the rolls I631: may be relied on for this purpose. The jaws I68 are then contracted by turning the screw shaft I69, to clamp the trailing end of the blank tightly to the mandrels.

The driving shaft I62 is then operated to advance the thrust members I60 and with them the mandrel I58 and the yokes I59. e blank is directed into the first stand of rolls I49 and I50 by an entering guide I12, similar to that which has already been described. for the shearing machine. shaping machine having been previously set to the desired position, engagethe blank and efiecb a final shaping thereof around the mandrel I58.

I prefer that the shaping rolls of the several stands be turned to slightly diilering contours so that the blank will first be pressed against the mandrel at the portion diametrically opposite the seam cleft and that the gripping action will gradually spread up around the blank toward the seam so that the blank 'will be tightly wrapped around the mandrel without wrinkles orfullness at any point on its circumference. The result can be obtained by turning the bottom roll I50 first engaged by the blank to a contour conforming strictly to that of the mandrel, at least in the central portion of the roll groove, and by having the contour of the cooperating top roll I49 turned so as-to allow any fullness in the blank to work up around the mandrel and smooth out at the seam cleft. Successive stands of rolls should have their contours conform to that of the mandrel for an'increasingly large proportion of the entire mandrel periphery whereby the described result, namely, the gradual working of any fullness out of the edgesof the blank, is-readily obtained.

When the head 163 has advanced to the entering end of the shaping machine, a dog I13 pivoted on the head engages the housing and is turned on its pivotal mounting. This operates the screw shaft E89 by means of a pinion I78 thereon, to spread the jaws I68. The head i83 can then be retracted. A slip clutch 682a. in-

corporated in the motor drive permits the rack bars I96 to be retracted without driving the motor. When the jaws have been released, a roll H jcurnaled in the head supports the latter on the mandrel as it is being retracted.

Bracket arms I16 extend inwardly from the exit end of the shaping machine and have springactuated detents III pivoted adjacent the ends thereof. Asshown in Figure 29, these detents are displaced by the leading end of the blank. When the trailing end has passectfthe detents spring inwardly to the position shown in Figure 30 to hold the blank when the mandrel I 58 is being retracted at the conclusion of the shaping operation 'to strip the blank therefrom. I Another form of shearing machine is shown in Figures 38 through 40. In this form of the VA invention, housings I80have windowswherein construction and mounting of the cutters I88 are best shown in Figure 40. The gripping roll por---- tions i8eiare' disposed on an arbor I90 keyed to the shaft I85, but are rotatable relative thereto} being held .only by the friction of clamping c0l The rolls of the several stands of the lars I9-I. The cutters I88 assembled with a spacing liner therebetween are clamped between rings I92 and I93. The ring I93 is secured to the arbor I90 by screws I94.

A driving connection I95 for the shaft I85 extends outwardly on one side of the machine. Brackets I96 are secured to the outer sides of the housings I80 and are slidable thereon, on keys I91, clamping bolts I98a being provided for holding the brackets in any adjusted-position. Hydraulic cylinders I98 are carried in the brackets I96 and are provided with pistons and piston rods connected to yokes I99 slidable laterally of the housings on suitable guideways.- Fluid pressure is normally applied through suitable connections to the outer faces of the pistons to force the yokes I99 inwardly. Flanges 200 on thepiston rods are adapted to engage annular stops 202 lie in a plane displaced toward the entering end of the machine from the vertical planecontaining the axis of the shaft I85. The construction of the housings I80 is' such that the vertical plane containing the'axisof the shaft I83 lies between that containing the axes of the side rolls and that containing the axis of the shaft 185. As the blank enters the machine, therefore, it is first gripped top and bottom by the left-hand stand of rolls as viewed in Figure 38. It is then engaged at the sides by the rolls 282, then by the bottom roll I88, and then by the roll portions I89 and the cutters I88. This insures that the blank is firmly held at all points when the shearing operation commences. The work and the trimmed edges are further guided by the right-hand stand of rolls on the exit end when engaged thereby.

The cutters I88, of course, cooperate with cutting edges formed on an insert mounted in by a pinion 203 on a driving shaft 209. Entering guides and cleaning means for the mandrel groove are provided as in Figure 1.

The hydraulic back-up for the side rolls 292 introduces a degree of resilience into the action of the latter to allow for slight discrepancies in the dimensions of the blank which are permitted by usual manufacturing tolerances. A similar resilience for the roll I84, the roll portion I89- and the cutters I88,- is provided by the spring of the shafts I63 and I85 under abnormal load.

While I prefer that the gripping rolls I84 and 189 be idlers, because they thus adjust themselves to the proper speed relative to the movement of the blank to reduce any marking-of the 'latter to a minimum: it is" possibleto advance the 'workthrough the machine by driving theserollsftmdthus dispense with the rack and pinion drive for the mandrel already described. The two stands of rolls at the entrance and exit ends of the mill could be driven, for example,

from a single drive shaft through suitable reducing gear, a gear box including a driving gear for each of gthe rolls; and a pinion driven from the low speed shaft of the gear reducer and meshing with the driving gears.

Instead of using separate side rolls, as shown in Figure 39, I may employ a single pair of gripping and supporting rolls to embrace substantially the entire periphery of the blank while the shearing is being efiected. An arrangement of this sort is shown in Figure 41, wherein the top roll 204 has a cutter 205 incorporated therein and cooperates with a similarly shaped bottom roll 206, the two rolls being grooved to embrace the entire periphery of the blank therebetween. The rolls 204 and 208 have interfitting ribs and grooves to insure their maintenance in proper alignment.

A modified form of means for advancing the mandrels and yokes through the shearing and shaping machines is illustrated in Figure 42. This means includes a winch 201 driven by any convenient source of power and a clevis 208 at" tached to the winch cable and adapted to engage in a slot in the forward end ofthe mandrel indicated at 209. A guide pulley 2|0 is journaled in a pivoted bearing 2 normally supported by a removable strut 2l2. A fork 2|3 is adapted to engage the clevis 200 to remove the latter from its slot in the mandrel. The fork M3 is keyed to a shaft 2 on which a gear 2": is also key'ed. The movement of the pivoted bearings 2H for the pulley 2|0 is controlled by a gear 2| 6 keyed to the same shaft. A motor 2H has a pinion 218 meshing with the gear 2| 6 which, in turn, meshes with the gear 2l5. By means of the motor, the pulley H0 and the fork 2l3 can be lowered, the strut 2l2 having been turned out of its normal position. .This removes the pulley 2| 0 from the path of the mandrel and unhooks the clevis from the latter. The mandrel is then free to discharge the blank positioned thereon. After the blank has been discharged, the motor 2!! is reversedto restore the pulley 2|0 and the fork 2l3 and the strut- 2l2 is placed in position to support the pulley. The mandrel and its yokes may be returned to their initial position by a run of cable extending backwardly from the winch to the far yoke around suitable guide pulleys, as indicated at 2).

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the invention provides highly efiicient means for rapidly subjecting preliminarily formed blanks to a final shaping and shearing of the uneven edges thereof preparatory to welding. The advantages of so finally shaping and shearing the blanks before welding will be readily appreciated by those experienced in the latter art. The machines disclosed herein are capable of a wide range of adjustability to handle ming are thus insured. The various, machinesshown are characterized by" great ease of .,ad justment and a ready accessibility of the various parts for inspection or replacement. The use of my invention makes it unnecessary to cold work the edges of the blank before welding as has been proposed heretofore, to eliminate the irregularities from the edges to be joined. It is possible, however, to use the apparatus illustrated at Figures 15 and 15a. for such cold working if a smooth disc is substituted for the rotary cutter.

The blanks are The housings of the blank working mechanisms are adjustable laterally and the rolls and cutters adjustable vertically. One end of the mandrel is also adjustable in both directions so that proper alignment of the various parts can easily be obtained. The mandrel supporting members 18, furthermore, are resilient to a certain extent permitting movement of the mandrel to accomodateitself to the adjustment of forming and supporting rolls and the guiding means on the forming mill and slitting shear. Since the gripping and shaping rolls are idlers, marking of the skelp is minimized. Yielding supports embedded in the mandrel prevent excessive friction between the mandrel and the blank when the latter is being moved over the former and reduced wear on the mandrel. These supports disappear when working pressures are applied. While shown only on the shaping mandrel, they will also be applied to the shear mandrel.

The blank-gripping and stripping means shown on the final forming machine may also be used on the shearing machines. The gripper head is lowered gently on the mandrel by reason of the taper on its holding pin, and is movably supported thereon by rollers. The various adjustments shown for the several blank-engaging rolls may all be incorporated in any roll, if desired.

Although I have disclosed herein but a few of the possible embodiments and practices contemplated by my invention, it will be understood that many changes therein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for preparing tubular blanks for welding comprising a mill for engaging and working on the blank, a mandrel extending through the mill and adapted to be moved back and forth therethrough, and means for supporting said mandrel including a pair of movable yokes, one on each side of the mill, said mandrelpipe blank to prepare it for welding, a mandrel adapted to be moved through said mill with a blank disposed thereon, and means including traveling yokes having plates depending therefrom for movably supporting said mandrel for movement relative to said mill.

3. Apparatus for preparing a tubular pipe blankfor welding comprising a mill having a plurality of pairs of shaping rolls disposed therein. a mandrel adapted to pass between said rolls with a blank disposed thereon, movable yokes on opposite sides of the mill and means depending from the yokes for supporting the mandrel for movement therethrough.

4. Apparatus for preparing tubular pipe blanks forflwelding comprising a mill having shaping 'rolls journaled therein, a mandrel adapted to .pass between said rolls with a blank disposed thereon, traveling yokes movable relative to said supporting said mandrel.

5. Apparatus for preparing'tubular blanks for -mill and means depending from the yokes for welding comprising a stand of shaping rolls, a

mandrel adapted to move therethrough with a blank disposed thereon, movable yokes having plates depending therefrom for supporting the 

